Lecture on social visionary

May 15 2008

ONE hundred and fifty years after Robert Owen’s death in 1858, Friends of New Lanark and The Open University are holding a commemorative lecture.

Tomorrow’s lecture, entitled Robert Owen of New Lanark: Reputations and Burning Issues? will be given by Ian Donnachie, one of the foremost biographers of Owen.

Ian Donnachie is a reader in history at The Open University in Scotland, vice-chair of Friends of New Lanark and author of Robert Owen, Social Visionary.

During the ages of industry, enlightenment and reform, Owen’s achievements as a social thinker and reformer were undisputed, but varied in impact and were often controversial.

This lecture looks at his reputation and addresses some of the big questions that remain to be answered, many raised by contemporaries, such as the numerous visitors to New Lanark, and by those who continue to be fascinated by his life and work.

The event, which is jointly sponsored by the Friends of New Lanark and The Open University in Scotland, takes place in the theatre of Robert Owen's School, New Lanark at 7.30pm on Friday.

An admission charge of £3, which includes a glass of wine or soft drink, is payable at the doors, which open at 7 pm.

If you would like to attend, please contact Lorna Davidson by e-mail on lorna.david son@newlanark.org. Alternatively, phone New Lanark Conservation Trust on 01555 661345.